Technological advances in seismic instrumentation and telecommunication permit the implementation N21smC}
of real-time rapid response and early warning systems. During large earthquakes, such systems are ; }t(Wnu.
capable of providing from a few seconds to a few tens of seconds of warning before the arrival of T C"<g
strong ground shaking and enable quick reports about the damage estimates to determine where GthYzd:'hJ
emergency response is most needed. An earthquake early warning and rapid response system can QW"! (`K
provide the critical information needed to minimize loss of lives and property, and to direct rescue mc3"`+o
operations As part of the preparations for the future earthquake in Istanbul a Rapid Response and Early Pz^544\~ou
Warning system in the metropolitan area is in operation. For the Early Warning system ten strong 4+ig'
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motion stations were installed as close as possible to the fault zone. Continuous on-line data from these 4P0}+
stations via digital radio modem provide early warning for potentially disastrous earthquakes. .V*^|UXbHi
Considering the complexity of fault rupture and the short fault distances involved, a simple and robust 11lsf/IP
Early Warning algorithm, based on the exceedance of specified threshold time domain amplitude Hv, LS ;W
levels is implemented. The encrypted early warning signals will be communicated to the respective D{!IW!w
end users through a “service provider” company. The users of the early warning signal will be power 45oR=A t n
and gas companies, nuclear research facilities, critical chemical factories, subway system and several g&.=2u P
high-rise buildings. Depending on the location of the earthquake (initiation of fault rupture) and the _f{{( 7
recipient facility the alarm time can be as high as about 8s. For the rapid response system one hundred ]f3>-)$*
18 bit-resolution strong motion accelerometers were placed in quasi-free field locations (basement of Xr{v ~bf
small buildings) in the populated areas of the city, within an area of approximately 50x30km, to PW4q~rc=:
constitute a network that will enable early damage assessment and rapid response information after a +|rj4j)L&'
damaging earthquake. Early response information is achieved through fast acquisition and analysis of 0$nj MnB2l
processed data obtained from the network. A shake map and damage distribution map (using aggregate _*zt=zn>
building inventories and fragility curves) will be automatically generated using the algorithm #;<Y[hR{P
developed for this purpose. The shake and damage maps will be conveyed to the governor’s and G &dKY h\
mayor’s offices, fire, police and army headquarters within 3 minutes using radio modem and GPRS Js;h%
communication
